There were several excellent examples of barrel cacti near the Saguaro National Park visitor center. Compare this one's variations across the spectrum with some of the other native cactus species.

Date Shot: 2007-09-08
Camera Body: Nikon D70 (Modified)
Lens: Nikon Series E 50mm (?)
Filters: Standard Set
Date Processed: 2009-04-05
Version: 2.0

Some trees and a large succulent near the Saguaro National Park visitor center.

Date Shot: 2007-09-08
Camera Body: Nikon D70 (Modified)
Lens: Nikon Series E 28mm (?)
Filters: Standard Set
Date Processed: 2009-04-07
Version: 2.0

A barrel cactus in bloom. The flowers' variation in UVA reflectivity (a simple bulls-eye pattern) is one of the most common in flowers of all types.

Date Shot: 2007-09-08
Camera Body: Nikon D70 (Modified)
Lens: Nikon Series E 35mm (?)
Filters: Standard Set
Date Processed: 2009-04-11
Version: 2.0

Large trees can grow in the desert, as long as they're provided with water :). Even so, it's interesting to see how in at least this case, the tree has created cloud-like webs of spindly branches to collect sunlight instead of large individual leaves or small, dense needles.

Date Shot: 2007-09-08
Camera Body: Nikon D70 (Modified)
Lens: Nikon Series E 28mm (Probably)
Filters: Standard Set
Date Processed: 2009-04-11
Version: 2.0

A close-up shot of the flowers on a barrel cactus. At this distance, the middle ring of the ultraviolet "bulls-eye" is revealed to be a vast number of dark stalks with bright tips, waving about in the wind to attract bees.

Date Shot: 2007-09-08
Camera Body: Nikon D70 (Modified)
Lens: Nikon Series E 100mm (?)
Filters: Standard Set
Date Processed: 2009-04-13
Version: 2.0